PDRwrestling

Posted by Matt

WWF Survivor Series 1988
November 24, 1988
Richfield, OH
Richfield Coliseum

A lot in American wrestling changed in 1988: the AWA had basically gone to being the WORST promotion in the world, media mogul Ted Turner buys a major portion of the NWA (Jim Crockett Promotions) and attempts to salvage the mess that Dusty had made throughout the year, and then you had wrestlers who were either jumping ships or abandoning the ship altogether. What makes 1988 even worse is that we’re given major shows like this where you’ve got maybe one or two things going on that are interesting, is that everything else is just plum whacko.

Your hosts are Gorilla Monsoon & Jesse Ventura! Read the rest of this entry →

Posted in WWE

Tags: Akeem, Andre the Giant, Arn Anderson, Bad News Brown, Barbarian, Big Bossman, Blue Blazer, Bobby Heenan, Bolsheviks, Boris Zhukov, Brain Busters, Bret Hart, British Bulldogs, Brutus Beefcake, Conquistadors, Curt Hennig, Danny Davis, Davey Boy Smith, Demolition, Demolition Ax, Demolition Smash, Dino Bravo, Dynamite Kid, Elizabeth, Frenchy Martin, Greg Valentine, Haku, Harley Race, Hart Foundation, Hercules Hernandez, Hillbilly Jim, Honky Tonk Man, Hulk Hogan, Jacques Rougeau, Jake Roberts, Jim Brunzell, Jim Duggan, Jim Neidhart, Jim Powers, Jimmy Hart, Ken Patera, Koko B. Ware, Marty Jannetty, Mega Powers, Mr. Fuji, Mr. Perfect, Nikolai Volkoff, One Man Gang, Owen Hart, Paul Roma, Powers of Pain, Randy Savage, Raymond Rougeau, Red Rooster, Rick Rude, Rockers, Ron Bass, Rougeau Brothers, Sam Houston, Scott Casey, Shawn Michaels, Slick, Survivor Series, Ted DiBiase, Terry Taylor, Tito Santana, Tully Blanchard, Ultimate Warrior, Virgil, Warlord, Young Stallions

SummerSlam 1988

Posted by Matt

WWF SummerSlam 1988
August 29, 1988
New York City, NY
Madison Square Garden

The current WWF Champs were as follows:
World Champion: Randy Savage (3/27/1988)
Intercontinental Champion: Honky Tonk Man (6/2/1987)
World Tag Team Champions: Demolition (3/27/1988)
Women’s Champion: Sensational Sherri (7/24/1987)

Your hosts are Gorilla Monsoon & Superstar Billy Graham! Jesse Ventura has refereeing duties tonight. Read the rest of this entry →

Posted in WWE

2 Comments

Tags: Andre the Giant, Bad News Brown, Barbarian, Baron Von Raschke, Big Bossman, Bobby Heenan, Bolsheviks, Boris Zhukov, Bret Hart, British Bulldogs, Brother Love, Brutus Beefcake, Cheryl Roberts, Davey Boy Smith, Demolition, Demolition Ax, Demolition Smash, Dino Bravo, Don Muraco, Dynamite Kid, Elizabeth, Frenchy Martin, Hart Foundation, Hercules Hernandez, Honky Tonk Man, Hulk Hogan, Jacques Rougeau, Jake Roberts, Jesse Ventura, Jim Duggan, Jim Neidhart, Jimmy Hart, Junkyard Dog, Ken Patera, Koko B. Ware, Mega Powers, Mr. Fuji, Nikolai Volkoff, Powers of Pain, Randy Savage, Raymond Rougeau, Rick Rude, Ron Bass, Rougeau Brothers, Slick, SummerSlam, Ted DiBiase, Ultimate Warrior, Virgil, Warlord

WrestleMania IV

Posted by Matt

WWF WrestleMania IV
March 27, 1988
Atlantic City, NJ
Trump Plaza

The current WWF Champs were as follows:
World Champion: Vacant
Intercontinental Champion: Honky Tonk Man (6/2/1987)
World Tag Team Champions: Strike Force (10/27/1987)
Women’s Champion: Sensational Sherri (7/24/1987)

Basically every review I’ve ever read of WrestleMania IV considers reviewing the show a mind-numbing task. Its 3½ hours long (I have the Anthology DVD version) and not the best quality wise, but it’s actually a historically significant show. The WWF World Title was declared vacant for the first time since 1962 a week or so after “The Main Event” show due to the “Twin Referees” scandal/angle, and a 14-man tournament was created. 14-man tournament you say? Yep, since Andre and Hulk both had claims to the belt, they received byes straight to the quarterfinals and were scheduled to meet each other there. With the on-going McMahon vs. Crockett wars, the Crocketts fired the next shot by putting on the rather awesome first-ever Clash of the Champions on TBS. Since WrestleMania began to bore the crap out of most of its buyers, they stopped watching and tuned in to the NWA. The cable companies were pissed about it because both they and the WWF lost millions of dollars as a result. To say the least, these were interesting times.

Your hosts are Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura! Read the rest of this entry →

Posted in WWE

Tags: Andre the Giant, B. Brian Blair, Bad News Brown, Bam Bam Bigelow, Bob Uecker, Bobby Heenan, Boris Zhukov, Bret Hart, British Bulldogs, Brutus Beefcake, Butch Reed, Danny Davis, Davey Boy Smith, Demolition, Demolition Ax, Demolition Smash, Dino Bravo, Don Muraco, Dynamite Kid, Elizabeth, Frenchy Martin, George "The Animal" Steele, Gladys Knight, Greg Valentine, Haku, Harley Race, Hercules Hernandez, Hillbilly Jim, Honky Tonk Man, Hulk Hogan, Islanders, Jacques Rougeau, Jake Roberts, Jim Brunzell, Jim Duggan, Jim Neidhart, Jim Powers, Jimmy Hart, Junkyard Dog, Ken Patera, Koko B. Ware, Mr. Fuji, Nikolai Volkoff, One Man Gang, Paul Roma, Peggy Sue, Randy Savage, Raymond Rougeau, Rick Martel, Rick Rude, Ricky Steamboat, Robin Leach, Ron Bass, Sam Houston, Sherri Martel, Sika, Sir Oliver Humperdink, Slick, Strike Force, Superstar Billy Graham, Tama, Ted DiBiase, Tito Santana, Ultimate Warrior, Vanna White, Virgil, WrestleMania

Saturday Night’s Main Event #14 (01.88)

Posted by Matt

WWF Saturday Night’s Main Event #14
January 2, 1988
Landover, MD
Capital Centre
(Taped on 12/7/1987)

The current WWF Champs were as follows:
World Champion: Hulk Hogan (1/23/1984)
Intercontinental Champion: Honky Tonk Man (6/2/1987)
World Tag Team Champions: Strike Force (10/27/1987)
Women’s Champion: Sensational Sherri (7/24/1987)

Jake Roberts and Damien are inviting Fuji and Sika to a NEW YEAR’S PARTY! Oh man, you know somebody’s getting drunk at that little shindig! Valentine’s gonna scramble some bird brains because he’s “The Hammer”! The Bolsheviks are communist Russian hippies! BUNDYMANIA gets a second shot at taking over the world, but HULKAMANIA stands in his way! It’s time for Saturday Night’s Main Event!

Your hosts are Vince McMahon and Jesse “The Movie Star” Ventura! Read the rest of this entry →

Posted in WWE

Royal Rumble 1988

Posted by Matt

WWF Royal Rumble 1988
January 24, 1988
Hamilton, Ontario, CA
Copps Coliseum

The current WWF Champs were as follows:
World Champion: Hulk Hogan (1/23/1984)
Intercontinental Champion: Honky Tonk Man (6/2/1987)
World Tag Team Champions: Strike Force (10/27/1987)
Women’s Champion: Sensational Sherri (7/24/1987)

Once again, Vince wouldn’t let JCP have a big event on the same night without him, so he uses Pat Patterson’s idea and turns it into a special cable television event on the USA network. Nevertheless, what only started out as a big “screw you” to Jim Crockett in the ongoing promotional wars, turned into an annual affair that would set up many of the main event feuds heading into WrestleMania.

Your hosts are Vince McMahon & Jesse Ventura! Read the rest of this entry →

Posted in WWE

Tags: Andre the Giant, B. Brian Blair, Bobby Heenan, Boris Zhukov, Bret Hart, Butch Reed, Danny Davis, Dino Bravo, Don Muraco, Frenchy Martin, Glamour Girls, Haku, Harley Race, Hillbilly Jim, Hulk Hogan, Islanders, Itsuki Yamazaki, Jake Roberts, Jesse Ventura, Jim Brunzell, Jim Duggan, Jim Neidhart, Jim Powers, Jimmy Hart, Judy Martin, Jumping Bomb Angels, Junkyard Dog, Lelani Kai, Nikolai Volkoff, Noriyoi Tateno, One Man Gang, Paul Roma, Rick Rude, Ricky Steamboat, Ron Bass, Royal Rumble, Sam Houston, Tama, Ted DiBiase, Tito Santana, Ultimate Warrior, Virgil, Young Stallions

Survivor Series 1987

Posted by Matt

WWF Survivor Series 1987
November 26, 1987
Richfield, OH
Richfield Coliseum

The current WWF Champs were as follows:
World Champion: Hulk Hogan (1/23/1984)
Intercontinental Champion: Honky Tonk Man (6/2/1987)
World Tag Team Champions: Strike Force (10/27/1987)
Women’s Champion: Sensational Sherri (7/24/1987)

It’s the first-ever Survivor Series! Vince decided that Ted Turner shouldn’t have ALL the fun on Thanksgiving with Starrcade, so he started a tradition of his own. A festivus for the rest of us, if you WEEL.

Your hosts are Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Pilgrim” Ventura. Read the rest of this entry →

Posted in WWE

Tags: Andre the Giant, B. Brian Blair, Bam Bam Bigelow, Bobby Heenan, Bolsheviks, Boris Zhukov, Bret Hart, British Bulldogs, Brutus Beefcake, Butch Reed, Danny Davis, Davey Boy Smith, Dawn Marie, Demolition, Demolition Ax, Demolition Smash, Dino Bravo, Don Muraco, Donna Christanello, Dynamite Kid, Elizabeth, Fabulous Moolah, Glamour Girls, Greg Valentine, Haku, Harley Race, Hart Foundation, Hercules Hernandez, Honky Tonk Man, Hulk Hogan, Islanders, Itsuki Yamazaki, Jacques Rougeau, Jake Roberts, Jim Brunzell, Jim Duggan, Jim Neidhart, Jim Powers, Jimmy Hart, Johnny Valiant, Judy Martin, Jumping Bomb Angels, Ken Patera, Killer Bees, King Kong Bundy, Lelani Kai, Mr. Fuji, New Dream Team, Nikolai Volkoff, Noriyoi Tateno, One Man Gang, Paul Orndorff, Paul Roma, Randy Savage, Raymond Rougeau, Rick Martel, Rick Rude, Ricky Steamboat, Rockin' Robin, Ron Bass, Rougeau Brothers, Sherri Martel, Sir Oliver Humperdink, Slick, Strike Force, Survivor Series, Tama, Tito Santana, Velvet McIntyre, Young Stallions

Saturday Night’s Main Event #11 (05.87)

Posted by Matt

WWF Saturday Night’s Main Event #11
May 2, 1987
South Bend, IN
Joyce Center
(Taped on 4/28/1987)

The current WWF Champs were as follows:
World Champion: Hulk Hogan (1/23/1984)
Intercontinental Champion: Ricky Steamboat (3/29/1987)
World Tag Team Champions: The Hart Foundation (1/26/1987)
Women’s Champion: The Fabulous Moolah (7/9/1986)

The Macho Man will survive! Ricky Steamboat can melt chains! The Hart Foundation is still giggling! Hacksaw Jim Duggan is xenophobic! ANDRE CHAMPION? It’s time for Saturday Night’s Main Event!

If you’re wondering why Bobby Heenan has a neck brace, Vince and Jesse show us a clip from the following morning’s Superstars episode where Ken Patera wraps a belt around Heenan’s neck and SLINGS him around! OUCH! Read the rest of this entry →

Posted in WWE

Tags: Andre the Giant, Bobby Heenan, Bret Hart, British Bulldogs, Can-Am Connection, Danny Davis, Davey Boy Smith, Dynamite Kid, Elizabeth, George "The Animal" Steele, Hart Foundation, Hercules Hernandez, Honky Tonk Man, Hulk Hogan, Iron Sheik, Jake Roberts, Jim Duggan, Jim Neidhart, Joey Marella, Kamala, Ken Patera, Kim Chee, Mr. Fuji, Nikolai Volkoff, Randy Savage, Rick Martel, Ricky Steamboat, Slick, Tito Santana, Tom Zenk

WrestleMania III

Posted by Matt

WWF WrestleMania III: Bigger, Badder, Better
March 29, 1987
Pontiac, MI
The Silverdome

The current WWF Champs were as follows:
World Champion: Hulk Hogan (1/23/1984)
Intercontinental Champion: Randy Savage (2/8/1986)
World Tag Team Champions: The Hart Foundation (1/26/1987)
Women’s Champion: The Fabulous Moolah (7/9/1986)

Your hosts are Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura! Read the rest of this entry →

Posted in WWE

3 Comments

Tags: Adrian Adonis, Alice Cooper, Andre the Giant, B. Brian Blair, Billy Jack Haynes, Bob Orton Jr., Bob Uecker, Bobby Heenan, Bret Hart, British Bulldogs, Brutus Beefcake, Butch Reed, Can-Am Connection, Danny Davis, Davey Boy Smith, Dino Bravo, Don Muraco, Dream Team, Dynamite Kid, Elizabeth, Fabulous Moolah, George "The Animal" Steele, Greg Valentine, Haiti Kid, Harley Race, Hart Foundation, Hercules Hernandez, Hillbilly Jim, Honky Tonk Man, Hulk Hogan, Iron Sheik, Jacques Rougeau, Jake Roberts, Jim Brunzell, Jim Duggan, Jim Neidhart, Jimmy Hart, Johnny Valiant, Junkyard Dog, Killer Bees, King Kong Bundy, Koko B. Ware, Little Beaver, Little Tokyo, Lord Littlebrook, Mr. Fuji, Nikolai Volkoff, Randy Savage, Raymond Rougeau, Rick Martel, Ricky Steamboat, Roddy Piper, Rougeau Brothers, Tito Santana, Tom Zenk, WrestleMania

Saturday Night’s Main Event #10 (03.87)

Posted by Matt

WWF Saturday Night’s Main Event #10
March 14, 1987
Detroit, MI
Joe Louis Arena
(Taped on 2/21/1987)

Andre has torn out the hearts and souls of the little Hulksters by joining with the Heenan family. Now Hulk wants some revenge! Elizabeth is having her SCARIEST NIGHT EVER! The Hart Foundation likes to giggle! Damien is hungry enough to eat a huge fat guy! This is Saturday Night’s Main Event!

Your hosts are Vince McMahon and Jesse Ventura! Read the rest of this entry →

Posted in WWE